Look past her career-ruining judging stint on The X Factor New Zealand last year and pop sorceress Teddy Sinclair, formerly known as Natalia Kills, is a talented, underrated artist who pulls inspiration from her own dark past. Following the intense backlash from her harsh contestant critiques, Sinclair retreated into the shadows for a few months only to resurface as Cruel Youth, a joint project with husband Willy Moon. The new act now presents "Mr. Watson", a soulful piece infused the with unique love and passion that spills from their marital union.
When she wasn't writing songs featured on number one albums from Madonna ("Holy Water") and Rihanna ("Kiss It Better"), Sinclair was re-branding herself, steering clear of the overly pop styling of her two studio albums. "Mr. Watson" still features a dose of pop flavor, but tossed in a narcotic cocktail of dreamy blues and soul influences. As Sinclair sings a story of a self-consuming love, all focus is on the artist's emotive vocal performance (at times bringing to mind the late Amy Winehouse), one that carries the new tune to thrilling levels.
On top of the impressive vocal delivery from Sinclair, praise should be given to the supporting production, a tinkering, throwback jazz-club sound that emphasizes the mixed emotions that come with finding joy in a new lover, but acknowledging the fact that the lover is just a distraction from facing your own destructive problems. "Mr. Watson, I've been cheating with you, you're the only one who knows my favorite color, and it's powder blue," she belts on the woozy chorus.
Similar to the somber, psychedelic pop/soul creations of Lana Del Rey, the debut release from Cruel Youth is a reflective piece that finds its silver lining after enduring some moments of pain and discomfort. "Mr. Watson" sheds light on the natural talents of Sinclair, showcasing raw, convincing vocal abilities and her uncanny way to fully express her ordeals on a sheet of paper. Sinclair has always been an upfront, blunt personality, and that pays off on the new single.
Sinclair has traded in her dark, edgy pop sound for a more appropriate, retro sound. She's still explicit, she still lays it all out on the table (listen to "Saturday Night"), but there's more vulnerability on "Mr. Watson", a quality that seems to have come after dealing with a "storm" of bad publicity. The new release makes the artist come off almost human, a bit more relatable, as she shares the troubles and lows of her life. Job well done.
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